Automatic Traveling System Stirring Control for Spraying Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The uniformity of chemical liquid concentration in a work vehicle's storage tank can be compromised if not sufficiently stirred, leading to decreased work accuracy and potential clogging of spraying nozzles, especially at the start of spraying operations.

Innovation Solution

An automatic traveling method and system that includes a stirring processing unit to start stirring the chemical liquid in the storage tank before the work vehicle begins automatic travel, ensuring uniform concentration and preventing nozzle clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the chemical liquid is not stirred before spraying work starts, then the work vehicle can begin spraying immediately, but the concentration of the chemical liquid becomes non-uniform and nozzles may clog

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying work efficiencyVSAvoidchemical liquid concentration uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring operation is performed in advance before the spraying work begins. The control unit activates the stirring motor to mix the chemical liquid in the storage tank before the spraying pump starts operating, ensuring uniform concentration is achieved beforehand so that spraying can proceed immediately without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If stirring is performed before automatic travel starts, then spraying work accuracy improves, but additional time is required before spraying can begin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying work accuracyVSAvoidtime before spraying starts
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs the stirring action in advance during the preparation phase before automatic travel and spraying begin. By automating this preliminary stirring step, the system ensures concentration uniformity is achieved before work starts, and the stirring occurs during a time when no spraying is yet required, thus not impacting the actual spraying productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the chemical liquid sits in the storage tank without stirring, then the system remains simple and ready to spray immediately, but the chemical agent and liquid separate causing non-uniform concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidchemical liquid composition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes an automatic stirring function that is activated by the control unit before spraying begins. The stirring motor and stirring blade work together to self-mix the chemical liquid, maintaining composition stability without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically detecting when stirring is needed and performing the mixing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the work accuracy of spraying operations by ensuring a uniform chemical liquid concentration and preventing nozzle clogging, thereby maintaining efficient spraying performance.

Implementation Method 1

a stirring processing unit configured to cause the work vehicle to execute a stirring work of stirring the spraying material in a storage tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStirring: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP4104651A1Automatic traveling method, automatic traveling system, and automatic traveling program
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 YANMAR HLDG CO LTD
  • EP4104651A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4104651A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4104651A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an automatic traveling method, an automatic traveling system, and an automatic traveling program, by which it is possible to improve the work efficiency of a work by a work vehicle traveling automatically. [Solution] An automatic traveling method includes causing a work vehicle 10 to automatically travel according to a target route R in a farm field F, execute a spraying work of spraying a chemical liquid on crops V, execute a stirring work of stirring the chemical liquid in a storage tank 14A, and start the stirring work if a predetermined condition is satisfied before the work vehicle 10 starts automatic travel.